Reviews for any metal and rock music

Howling Giant – Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2

Being late to the party is almost always better than never showing up for it at all. That’s how I felt when I heard Howling Giant’s “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 1” months after its release. It was a delicious slab of stoner rock that showed these Americans had behemoth levels of potential, and I wanted more and so hoped that they would soon deliver with a follow-up. Almost a year after “Part 1”, “Part 2” is ready to crash land and it’s one of the most tasteful pieces of stoner rock I’ve ever heard.

I had high expectations for “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2” given that “Part 1” was an incredible 22-minute album that was diverse, entertaining, and a well-rounded trip through the cosmos crafted by quality stoner rock. And right where the first edition ended, “Part 2” immediately picks up the story (which I won’t reveal too much about (that’s a tale worth researching on your own)) and the sound with the exactly same quality that we got with “Part 1”, except there’s one thing different with “Part 2”: it feels like a much more complete album overall. Given that it has six tracks and is longer than its predecessor, “Part 2” already has more material and therefore much more for the listener to work with. Yet, all six tracks stand tall and proud on their own with each being an excellent testament to stoner rock as well as the creativity behind Howling Giant that was clearly demonstrated with “Part 1”, but this successor shows it without stuttering for even a moment. Then combine that with a cohesive sound, hook filled rhythms, a sci-fi theme that keeps you reeled into this epic tale, and a diversity throughout the album that really keeps you guessing as to what Howling Giant could possibly pull next. And by the time you’re through with venturing through forests of post-apocalyptic and the earth wizards who guided you through the finale, you’ll be dying to hear more and be scrambling to hear to the glory that is “Part 2” all over again. It’s psychedelic, it’s gripping, it’s fun, and it’s a fucking goddamn impressive piece of work!

Howling Giant astonished me with “Part 2” and it whets my palet, even more, to hear what they can whip up, and makes me wonder how they’re somehow going to close out this three-part saga in the future. I’m more than willing to wait another year to hear the magnificent conclusion to an unforgettable journey the likes of which is one that can’t be ignored. “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2” is everything I could’ve dreamed of and more, and I’ve no doubt it’ll impress any stoner rock fan from the outer depths of the cosmos as well!

“Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2” releases on August 25th!

LISTEN to the song “The Pioneer” from the album on Bandcamp here or via YouTube below.